Comments about ‘From campus to mission field: Missionary age impacts wards and young people’

Certain countries have been able to send out young men at 18 for decades.
Mexico did it because they have mandatory military service that must begin
before their 21st birthday.

I often have wondered why we in the US
did not have that option, especially since I was ordained an Elder 3 months
after my 18th birthday and was sorely tempted by Satan before I left on my
mission.

Certainly this is a great announcement for 2 reasons:1) The number of young men going on missions will increase because they
won't have that cooling off period after Seminary and2) The number of
young women going on missions will increase because there is no longer that
unspoken attitude that "we would like you to go on a mission if you reach
the age of 21 and marriage is not forthcoming..."

Laggie, Elder Holland explained it well in the Saturday news conference. In
effect he said: "We've been sending out missionaries for a long time
and we've learned some things. We're going to do what is best for the
missionaries and the work." I'll trust him that they know what they are
doing.

Lots of young men graduate from high school and wait around
several months before going on a mission and often this time is just a waiting
period and not much is accomplished. The new program lets a missionary leave at
18 and at 20, they will be in college, much better prepared for that experience
than before. They will get more out of their college training,earn their degrees
earlier and be better prepared for a worthwhile career. It is an inspired
decision.

A dramatic increase in the number of missionaries coinciding with the
Presidential campaign of a Latter-day Saint could be a massive expansion booster
for Church membership and the Church tithing base. For wide-eyed innocent Mormon
youth at an age of intense yearning to be somebody who makes a difference,
it’s exciting. May God guide them as they go out into a cynical world.

Had somebody say they thought it significant that this option will be operating
and be set in place--in the event of a possible military draft in the
future--because men must register for US Selective Service when 18.

4-D was the Selective Service classification for ministers
during the Vietnam War which was the last time we had a draft. Serving an LDS
mission met that requirement. Mitt Romney was among those so classified.

RE: Craig Clark,4-D was the Selective Service classification for ministers
during the Vietnam War which was the last time we had a draft. Serving an LDS
mission met that requirement. Mitt Romney was among those so classified.

I served in Vietnam and NKP from 1969-70. There were ministers
(Chaplains) with us serving communion and Worship services . In fact during
Vietnam several Chaplains received the Congressional Medal of Honor. There were Catholic nuns, who were running orphanages and feeding the poor in
combat zones. Some were killed sharing Christ’s love.